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Elementary school students duplicate space experiment

Date Posted: 1998-11-06

Children at Uema Elementary School in Naha City conducted an experiment relating to plants and electricity, Saturday. It duplicates the experiment Japanese astronaut Chiaki Mukai is currently conducting in space onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

The 6th grade students conducted the experiment as a part of their science class. They made a bowl, which is used for their experiment from plastic bottles and then inserted two metal bars in the bottle. Then they placed bean sprouts and corn seeds with roots in the bowl. At the experiment, they passed an electronic current in series through these plants and observed the transition of the direction of the plans. The students participating in the experiment were excited about experience. Leo Shimosato, a student in the science class enthused that, "We are very excited just thinking that the same experience is held in space."

The students also sent an e-mail message to the Japanese astronaut, stating "We wish you good luck."